Alexander I of Lithuania

Alexander I of Lithuania (1238-12??) was the second Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, succeeding his father Mindaugas I of Lithuania in 1260.

Biography
Grand Duke Alexander was the son of Mindaugas I of Lithuania, who ignominously defeated the Sword Brethren at the Battle of Saule in 1238. Alexander was a pagan, but was chivalrous, and also loyal, pious, and a mediocre commander. Alexander had no attention while his father was king, but when he was slain in 1260, Alexander became Grand Duke and prepared to defend the Grand Duchy of Lithuania against the Knights Teutonic and their Christian allies.

In 1260, the city of Kaunus was besieged by Elberhard von Kastilien, so he brought a large army to try to relieve the city. Kastilien's retreat caused Alexander to pursue, and when Charles the Crusader laid siege to the city in early 1261, Kastilien marched clean past Alexander's forces and helped to attack the city. However, the local noble Tautvilas the Chivalrous beat back the Knights Teutonic attack, and Lithuania was saved a year of conquest.